Shortlist provides real world evidence of UK pharma’s strength
Treatments for lung cancer, ulcerative colitis, heart failure and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are among 16 innovations shortlisted for one of the most prestigious prizes in pharmaceutical R&D – a Prix Galien medal.
The 2016 UK Prix Galien, which takes place at the House of Commons on 21st September, promises to be one of the most hotly-contested in recent years, with a record number of finalists competing across three categories.
The final includes representation from 13 pharmaceutical companies and will see the UK become the first Prix Galien franchise in the world to recognise excellence in Real World Evidence.
The shortlist, which followed a rigorous review by UK Prix Galien’s independent judging panel, again highlights the valuable role UK pharma plays in tackling diverse healthcare challenges.
UK finalists
All products shortlisted in the Innovative Product and Orphan Product categories at UK Prix Galien 2016 were launched or granted a new indication in the UK between 1st January 2014 and March 31st 2016.
Innovative Product Award
Seven companies have been shortlisted for the Innovative Product Award; Alexion (Kanuma), AstraZeneca (Tagrisso), Bristol Myers Squibb (Opdivo), Boehringer Ingelheim (Praxbind), Janssen (Imbruvica), Novartis (Entresto) and Takeda (Entyvio).
The most recent winner of the Innovative Product Award, at the 2014 UK Prix Galien, was Novartis’ Bexsero – the first broad coverage vaccine to help protect against meningitis B.
Orphan Product Award
Four companies have been shortlisted for the Orphan Product Award; Alexion (Strensiq), Boehringer Ingelheim (Ofev), Chiesi (Holoclar) and Otsuka (Jinarc).
The 2014 Orphan Drug Award was won by Janssen’s Sirturo, the first medication for pulmonary MDR-TB with a novel mechanism of action in over forty years.
Real World Evidence Award
The Real World Evidence Award is new for 2016. Open to medicines that have either won or received a commendation at previous UK Prix Galien Awards, the award will recognise excellence in the generation, collection and application of observational data to demonstrate health outcomes, real-world patient benefits or socio-economic gains. Medicines from five companies were shortlisted for the inaugural award; Dificlir (Astellas), Januvia (MSD), Myozyme (Sanofi Genzyme), Vidaza (Celgene) and Xolair (Novartis).
“The range of medicines shortlisted for UK Prix Galien 2016 once again reflects depth and diversity of the UK pharmaceutical industry and how its innovations are helping to tackle unmet clinical need,” says Karen Westaway, Chief Executive of ValueBase, the new owners of Prix Galien’s UK franchise. “We are particularly proud to become the first Prix Galien franchise to recognise excellence in Real World Evidence, which is becoming an increasingly important factor in the uptake of new innovations.
“This is an exciting new category and it will be fascinating to see how innovations that have previously impressed Prix Galien judges have fared in this crucial area. The bottom line, however, is simple: the strong line-up of finalists – the biggest in the history of UK Prix Galien – is itself ‘real world evidence’ of the rich vein of innovation that runs through the UK pharmaceutical industry.”